Animation system

ABSTRACT

An animation system in which a camera means for exposing frames of film to photograph an object and a support means for supporting the object with respect to the camera means are moved relative to each other in accordance with motion data and status data converted by a computing means into a plurality of data outputs to which a motion means for moving the camera means and the support means relative to each other is responsive, each of the plurality of data outputs including a number of electrical pulses indicative of the motion data and occurring in response to status data. The motion data is converted by the computing means so that the numbers of electrical pulses in the data outputs differ selectively to cause that varying motion of the camera means and support means relative to each other which creates the illusion of an object accelerating or decelerating in the frames of film exposed by the camera means.

United States Patent Vaughn 1 Sept. 12, 1972 [54] ANIMATION SYSTEM [57]ABSTRACT Inventor: Charles Vaughn, 2665 g y An animation system in whicha camera means for ex- [22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 83,900

[52] U.S. Cl. ..352/87, 352/50, 352/54 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 21/32 [58]Field of Search ..352/87, 85, 50, 54; 95/l2.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,415,600 l2/l968 Yarbrough..352/87 3,158,079 11/1964 Willits et al ..95/l2.5

Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. MosesDrive, E. Tucker, Ga. 30084 Attorney--Jones & Thomas posing frames offilm to photograph an object and a support means for supporting theobject with respect to the camera means are moved relative to each otherin accordance with motion data and status data converted by a computingmeans into a plurality of data outputs to which a motion means formoving the camera means and the support means relative to each other isresponsive, each of the plurality of data outputs including a number ofelectrical pulses indicative of the motion data and occurring inresponse to status data. The motion data is converted by the computingmeans so that the numbers of electrical pulses in the data outputsdiffer selectively to cause that varying motion of the camera means andsupport means relative to each other which creates the illusion of anobject accelerating or decelerating in the frames of film exposed by thecamera means.

23 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures I" T D I; f i p IB/1552i ali-III? i I IIIIII L 1 SIGNAL I MMNS I I SW05 W i i smut/arms i i i 5 MEANS I I -30 Iwa I l I I i EAMEkA i i [0 I I F OPl'll/TING I PULSE uurPur I I2! Mus II G I DISIIIIBuI/M) t DIVERTING MEANS UISABLING I l I la I1 INDICATORMEANS l MEANS I MEANS I I I I MOTOR I I momronms 11b compunm; T MEANS iI N s I I I MOTOR I MEANS I I L IICH I I 1'" 1 PEG! t0 ummno 42 MANUAL II um I 47 i I PEG 2 I L J A 20 .1' I MOTOR mpur I v I PEG 3 I I MEANS II II LMOTOR H I' PEG 4 MOTOR l I 45 IL JI I'.) LIMIT I SWITCHES I IPLATE/V I I vosmomms MEANS l J 1 ANIMATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to ananimation system and more particularly, to an animation system in whicha camera means for exposing frames of film to photograph an object and asupport means for supporting the object with respect to the camera meansare moved relative to each other in accordance with motion .data andstatus data converted by a computing means into a plurality of dataoutputs.

2. Description of the Prior Art Animation in motion pictures requiresthe repeated photographing of an object or objects drawn or placed in aplurality of different positions with respect to a camera means forexposing frames of film. Each photographing of an object exposes a frameof film and a plurality of frames of film provide a motion picture inwhich the illusion of the object being in motion is present even thoughthe object was stationary each time a frame of film was exposed.

Typically, animation in motion pictures is provided by a camera means,by a support means for supporting an object with respect to the camerameans, and by a motion means for moving and positioning the camera meansand the support means relative to each other so that positions of thecamera means and the support means relative to each other providedifferent positions of the object and the camera means with respect toeach other. Generally, the motion means is manually operated and theplurality of positions of the camera means and the support meansrelative to each other that are provided by the motion means aredetermined by laborious and time consuming mental calculations whichfrequently do not result in those positions of an object with respect tothe camera means that are necessary to create the illusion desired.

Attempts have been made in the prior art to provide an animation systemwhich avoids these difficulties with respect to animation in motionpictures. In such a prior art animation system, a motion meansis'responsive to the data output from a tape reader or similar devicefor providing the data output from stored data. However, a difficultywith this prior art animation system is that the preparation of thestored data requires laborious and time consuming mental calculations orthe use of a separate computing means.

A further difficulty with this prior art animation system is that oncethe stored data has been prepared, the operation of the animation systemis relatively inflexible and cannot be readily modified to achieveartistic and other effects. Further, illusions such as the illusion ofan object accelerating or decelerating are a function of the stored dataand even when the stored data has been prepared using a separatecomputing means, such illusions have frequently not been artisticallysatisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention disclosed herein is an animationsystem which avoids these and other difficulties encountered in theprior art with respect to animation in motion pictures. This is becausethe invention provides an animation system in which a motion means movesa camera means and a support means relative to each other in accordancewith motion data and status data converted by a computing means into aplurality of data outputs to which the motion means and the camera meansare responsive. The motion data and status data do not require laboriousand time consuming calculations in their preparation and deviation datareadily changes the response of the motion means and the camera means todata outputs so that special effects or. changes dictated by operatorjudgment are easily achieved. Moreover, the invention provides ananimation system in which illusions such as the illusion of an objectaccelerating or decelerating are artistically satisfactory even thoughthe motion data and status data are easy and convenient to-prepare.

These improvements in an animation system are provided by an animationsystem which includes a camera means for exposing frames of film tophotograph an object, a support means for supporting an object withrespect to the camera means, a motion means for moving the camera meansand the support means relative to each other so as to place the camerameans and the object in a plurality of positions with respect to each, acomputing means for converting motion data and status data into aplurality of data outputs to which the motion means and the camera meansare responsive, a deviation means for providing deviation data whichselectively changes the response of the motion means and the camerameans to the plurality of data outputs, a signal means for providingstatus data to the computing means in response to the operation of thecamera means, and an input means for providing motion data to thecomputing means as an alpha numeric input.

The deviation means includes a camera control means for rendering thecamera means selectively inoperative to the data output from thecomputing means, for rendering the camera means ineffective to expose aframe of film even though the camera means is otherwise operative, forselectively causing the camera means to be operative even though it isnot responsive to a data output from the computing means, for indicatinga data output from the computing means to which the camera means isresponsive, and for sim ulating status data to the computing means eventhough the signal means is not operative. Further, the deviation meansincludes a platen operating means for operating a platen positioningmeans which serves as a means for raising and lowering a platen holdingan object on the support means. In addition, the deviation means in-,cludes a motion control means for rendering the motion means selectivelyinoperative in response to data outputs from the computing means and forrendering the motion means operative in the absence of data outputs fromthe computing means.

In addition to the features described above, the animation system mayinclude a display means for selectively displaying the plurality of dataoutputs from the computing means and an indicating means for indicatingthe response of the motion means to the plurality of data outputs fromthe computing means. Although an animation system provided by theinvention is a highly versatile means for providing animation in motionpictures and although animation in motion pictures is conveniently andefficiently achieved, the animation system is relatively inexpensive andeasy to maintain and operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other features and advantagesof the invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawing in which likecharacters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an animation system embodying theinvention disclosed herein; and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic presentation of the manner in which thecomputing means in the animation system shown in FIG. 1 computes thepulse data in the data outputs required for that motion of a supportmeans and a camera means relative to each other which creates theillusion of an object accelerating or decelerating in a sequence offrames of film.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT These figures and the following detaileddescription disclose a specific embodiment of the invention. However, itwill be understood that the invention may be embodied in otherequivalent forms and methods without departing from the inventive scope.

The invention disclosed herein is most easily understood as an animationsystem comprising a camera means C for exposing frames of film, asupport means P for positioning an object (not shown) with respect tothe camera means C, a motion means M for moving the support means P andthe camera means C relative to each other so as to place an object in aplurality of positions with respect to the camera means C, a computingmeans for converting motion data and status data into a plurality ofdata outputs to which the motion means M and the camera means C areresponsive, and a deviation means D for providing deviation data whichchanges the response of the motion means M and the camera means C to theplurality of data outputs. The camera means C and the support means Pare shown only as the dashed line boxes C and P in FIG. 1 because theyare generally conventional and because the details of their constructionand arrangement will be understood by those skilled in the art from thefollowing description of the invention and from such prior art as pages19-39 in The Focal Encyclopedia of Film and Television Techniquespublished in 1969 by Hastings House, Publishers, Inc., New York, NewYork.

Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the camera means Cincludes a shutter motor which is operative in response to commandpulses. Similarly, those skilled in the art will understand that thesupport means P includes a table which is generally rotatable andlinearly movable in directions generally designated as north, south,east and west by rotation of shafts. In addition, the support means Pgenerally includes four peg tracks movable along their lengths byrotation of shafts. The rotation of shafts in a support means P isgenerally accomplished manually by cranks attached to the shafts so thatthe shafts and cranks provide a form of motion means for moving thesupport means P and an object positioned on the support means P relativeto the camera means C.

In the invention disclosed herein, the motion means M also includesmotors 11 by which those shafts in a support means P which providemotion of the table and of the peg tracks are rotated. Further, themotion means M also includes a zoom motor 12 which is operative to movethe camera means C toward and away from the support means P as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. The motion means M may alsoinclude a motor which is for rotating the camera means C and supportmeans P relative to each about an axis and which is not shown becauseits use and control in the invention will be understood by those skilledin the art from the use and control of the motors 11 and 12.

From FIG. 1 it will be seen that the motors 11 include an east-westmotor 11a which is operative to rotate that shaft which provides formotion of a table in the support means P in the direction generallydesignated as east-west, a north-south motor 11b which is operative torotate that shaft which provides for motion of the table in thedirection generally designated as north-south, and motors 11c, 11d, lieand 11f which are operative to rotate those shafts which provide formotion of the peg tracks along their lengths. The motors 11 are steppingmotors which are responsive to electrical pulses and are selected sothat twenty electrical pulses are required for one complete revolutionof the particular shaft rotated by a motor 11.

If the shafts in a support means P are arranged so that one completerevolution of a shaft will impart motion to the table or a peg trackwhich is of a magnitude of one-fifth of an inch, each electrical pulseto a motor 11 will cause motion of an object by the support means Pwhich is of the magnitude of one-hundredth of an inch. However, it willbe understood that the particular motion imparted to an object by eachelectrical pulse is dependent upon the particular arrangement of shaftsand motors l1 utilized in the invention.

The motor 12 is also responsive to electrical pulses and it will also beunderstood that each electrical pulse to the motor 12 causes a smallpredetermined motion of the camera in the camera means C toward or awayfrom an object positioned by the support means P. The electrical pulsesto which the motors 11 and 12 are responsive are provided by the pulsedata in the data outputs from the computing means 0 which is mostconveniently a conventional digital computer programmed in a mannerwhich will be apparent to those skilled in the art once the inventionherein is fully understood.

In that embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the pulse data inthedata outputs from the computing means 0 may be simultaneously appliedto all of the motors 11 and 12 or sequentially applied to the mo tors 11and 12. Regardless of whether the pulse data to the motors 11 and 12 issimultaneous or sequential, the pulse data in each data output is aparticular number of electrical pulses which cause a motor 11 or 12 inthe motion means M to provide a predetermined motion to the supportmeans P or the camera means C. Moreover, whether simultaneous orsequential, the pulse data for a plurality of motors 11 and 12 isgenerally included in a single data output from the computing means 0.

The number of electrical pulses in the pulse data for a particular motor11 or 12 is determined by the motion data provided to the computingmeans 0 by an input means I such as a conventional tele-typewriter. Inmany uses of the animation system disclosed herein, the motion data willsimply be in terms of the total mory for the computing means 0 to dividethe total motion by the number of data outputs required in order todetermine the number of electrical pulses in the pulse data included ineach of the data outputs.

It will be understood that the number of data outputs required willgenerally be the total number of frames less one and that the electricalpulses in the pulse data included in the data outputs will besubstantially equal in number and will, when added together, provide thetotal motion. However, in those uses of the animation system disclosedherein in which it is desired to provide a series of frames of film bywhich the illusion of the acceleration or deceleration of an object iscreated, the motion data will also include the number of frames of filmin which the illusion of acceleration or deceleration is to appear. Inresponse to such motion data, the computing means 0 provides pulse datafor a series of data outputs in which the number of electrical pulsesare not substantially equal in number.

This is best understood by considering the pulse data for a particularmotor 11 or 12, such as the motor 11a, in a series of data outputs. Whenthe total motion of the support means P relative to the camera means Cwhich is to be provided by the motor 11a is in hundreds of an inch, thetotal number of electrical pulses T required to provide this totalmotion is equal to the number of hundreds of an inch in the totalmotion. Moreover, the total number of data outputs F including pulsedata will be one less than the total number of frames of film to beexposed during the total motion and the number of data outputs N forthose frames of film in which the illusion of acceleration, decelerationor both is to appear will be one less than the number of these frames.

Thus, from data input including total motion to be provided by the motor11a, the total number of frames of film to be exposed during this totalmotion, and the number of frames of film in which the illusion of theacceleration or deceleration of an object is to occur, the computingmeans 0 readily determines the total number of electrical pulses T, thetotal number of data outputs F, and the number of data outputs N betweenthose frames of film in which the illusion of acceleration ordeceleration is to appear.

The number of data outputs Z between those frames of film in which theillusion of the acceleration or deceleration of an object is not toappear is simply the difference F-N and computing means 0 determines thetotal number of electrical pulses H in the pulse data included in thedata outputs 2 as follows:

where K is 1 if only the illusion of acceleration or deceleration is toappear and'K is 2 if both the illusion of acceleration and decelerationis to appear.

The number of electrical pulses P in the pulse data included in each ofthe data outputs Z for a frame of film in which the illusion ofacceleration or deceleration is not to appear is:

P H/Z (2) It will be understood that the number of electrical pulses inthe pulse data included in the data outputs Z is the same for each dataoutput Z. However, the number of electrical pulses in the pulse dataincluded in each data output Nis different for each data output N and isa portion of the number of electrical pulses B which is the differenceT-H.

The manner in which the computing means 0 determines the number ofelectrical pulses in the pulse data included in each of the data outputsN is graphically shown by FIG. 2 in which the data outputs N are shownas the arc segments N,l NN into which the arc of a circle is divided.The are of a circle has a radius R proportional to the number ofelectrical pulses B and is subtended by two radii perpendicular to eachother.

The number of electrical pulses in the pulse data included in each dataoutput N is determined in the computing means 0 by the ratios of theline segments such as the line segment D1D2 to the radius R. Each linesegment such as the line segment Dl-D2 is determined by obtainingdistances Dl-DO and D2-D0 using simple trigonometric principles and bysubtracting the distance DZ-DO from the distance Dl-DO. It will be seenfrom FIG. 2 the number of electrical pulses in pulse data included inthe first of the data outputs N is relatively small and that the numberof electrical pulses in the pulse data included in subsequent dataoutputs N increases by an inverse sine relationship until the number ofelectrical pulses in the pulse data included in the last of the dataoutputs N is substantially equal to the number of electrical pulses inthe pulse data included in the data outputs Z. The result of thedistribution of the electrical pulses Tas described above by thecomputing means 0 is an illusion of the acceleration or deceleration ofan object which is life-like and artistically pleasing.

The data outputs from the computing means 0 not only include pulse datato which the motors 11 and 12 are responsive but they also includecommand pulses to the shutter motor 10 and may include shutter cappingpulses to a shutter capping means 15 or platen control pulses to aplaten positioning means 40. The shutter capping means 15 is renderedoperative and inoperative in response to shutter capping pulses to coverthe lens of the camera in the camera means C so that the operation ofthe shutter by the shutter motor 10 does not expose a frame of film andthe platen positioning means 40 is operative in response to platencontrol pulses to change the position of a platen (not shown).

The shutter capping means 15 and the platen positioning means 40 will bebetter understood from the description of the deviation means D below.However, at this point it will be understood that a command pulse in thedata output from the computing means 0 causes the shutter motor 10 tomove film within the camera means C and to operate the shutter to exposea frame of film. Moreover, it will be understood that when the shuttermotor 10 moves film within the camera means C, it positions a new frameof film relative to the lens in 7 the camera means C. Further, it willbe understood that the direction in which the shutter motor 10 moves thefilm within the camera means C is determined by a characteristic such aspolarity of the command pulse.

. It will also be understood that in moving the film within the camerameans C and operating the shutter, the shutter motor 10 rotates a shaft(not shown). The rotation of this shaft in the camera means C is used bya signal means S for generating status data indicative of the operationof the shutter in the camera means C. The signal means S is shown onlyschematically in FIG. 1 since it may be any convenient electromechanicalarrangement for causing an electrical pulse at a particular time duringthe rotation of a shaft by the shutter motor 10 in the camera means C.However, it will be understood that such an electro-mechanicalarrangement may be adjustable to cause status data to occur at vari ousshutter positions or may be used with a time delay circuit 17 to providefor the occurrence of status data at various shutter positions.

The computing means 0 is responsive to the status data from the signalmeans S so that under normal operating conditions of the animationsystem, a data output is provided by the computing means 0 only inresponse to status data. However, the computing means 0 will provide thedata outputs described above to a display means A in the absence ofstatus data from the signal means S. The display means A includes aconventional means for displaying digital data so as to permit dataoutputs from the computing means 0 to be displayed and analyzed prior totheir utilization in the animation system.

Moreover, with appropriate programming of the computing means 0, thedisplay means A may be utilized to request visually a manual operationsuch as the changing of art work on the support means P when anappropriate point in an animation program has been reached. The displaymeans A includes an appropriate switch means 20 from simulating statusdata to the computing means 0 so as to cause data outputs, and the dataoutputs from the computing means 0 are diverted to the display means Aby a diverting means V.

The computing means 0 delivers data outputs to the camera means C andmotion means M through the deviation means D which includes adistributing means F for distributing pulse data to the motors 11 and12, shutter capping pulses to the shutter capping means 15, platencontrol pulses to the platen positioning means 40, and command pulses tothe shutter motor 10. However, the deviation means D also provides aplurality of control outputs which serve as deviation data forselectively changing the response of the camera means C and the motionmeans M to the data outputs from computing means 0.

The control outputs provided by the deviation means D are schematicallyshown in FIG. 1 and include control outputs from a camera control meansT, a motion control means L, and a platen control means E. The cameracontrol means T includes a disabling means 16 which serves to prevent acommand pulse from passing to the shutter motor 10, a shutter capoperating means 22 for providing shutter capping pulses to the shuttercapping means 15, and a camera operating means 21 for providing commandpulses to the shutter motor 10.

In addition, the camera control means T includes a monitoringmeans 23for providing a visual or audible indication in response to each commandpulse from the computing means 0 and a simulating means 30 forsimulating status data to the computing means 0 in the absence of statusdata from the signal means S or the switch means 20. It will beunderstood that the disabling means 16 is a conventional switcharrangement for opening a circuit and that the camera, operating means21, the shutter cap operating means 22, and the simulating means 30 areconventional electrical arrangements which are manually operable toprovide an appropriate electrical pulse. Moreover, it will be understoodthat the monitoring means 23 is a conventional electrical arrangementsuch as one including a lamp or buzzer which will be operative inresponse to a command pulse from the computing means 0.

The platen positioning means 40 is a conventional electro-mechanicalarrangement for changing the position of a platen on the support means Pin response to platen control pulses from the computing means 0 whichcause the platen to be in a raised or lowered position. The platencontrol means E also provides platen control pulses to which the platenpositioning means 40 is responsive and is a conventionalelectromechanical arrangement which is manually operable to provide theappropriate platen control pulses.

The motion control means L includes a limiting means 41 and a manualcontrol means 42. The limiting means 41 is responsive to signal inputsfrom a plurality of limit switches 43 which are positioned in thesupport means P relative to the table and the plurality of peg tracks soas to be operated by excessive motion of the table or of a peg track.The limiting means 41 is for preventing pulse date from passing to themotors 11 and 12. Thus, if excessive motion of the table or of a pegtrack occurs, the limiting means 41 prevents further motion of the tableand of the peg tracks in response to data outputs from the computingmeans 0.

The manual control means 42 is manually operable to provide a controlinput to the limiting means 41 to cause the limiting means 41 to preventpulse date from passing to the motors 11 and 12. When motors 11 and 12are inoperative as a result of a control input to the limiting means 41from the manual control means 42, the shafts in the support means Pwhich are normally rotated by the motors 11 may be manually rotated bycranks or other devices in conventional manner. However, the manualcontrol means 42 may also provide operating pulses to the motors 11 and12 even though the limiting means 41 is operative. The manual controlmeans 42 is a conventional electro-mechanicalarrangement by which acontrol input to the limiting means 41 and operating pulses to themotors l1 and 12 are provided at the discretion of an operator.

The animation system may also include an indicating means G which isresponsive to a plurality of data inputs from the motors 11 and 12 andwhich is arranged to provide an indication of the manner in which themotors 11 and 12 are responding to data outputs from the computing means0. The indicating means G and other features of an animation systemembodying the invention will be better understood from the followingdescription of the operation of the animation system in several modes ofoperation.

OPERATION From the foregoing description of an animation systemembodying the invention disclosed herein, it will be understood that themodes'of operation and the animation methods provided by the inventionare limited only by the skill of an operator in using the deviationmeans D to obtain deviation output to modify the response of the camerameans C and the motion means M to the data outputs from the computingmeans 0. A basic mode of operation provided by the data outputs from thecomputing means is one in which the computing means 0 converts motiondata from theinput means I into data outputs which include pulse data tothe appropriate motors 11 and 12, command pulses to the shutter motor10, shutter capping pulses to the shutter capping means 15, and platencontrol pulses to the platen positioning means 40.

In this basic mode of operation, the initial data output from thecomputing means 0 will be in response to status data from the simulatingmeans 30 and subsequent data outputs from the computing means 0 will bein response to status data from the signal means S. This basic mode ofoperation is easily modified by an operator using deviation data fromthe deviation means D to obtain modified modes of operation.

For example, if it is desired to omit the exposure of a frame of filmwithout interrupting the data outputs from the computing means 0, it issimply necessary for the operator to operate the shutter cap operatingmeans 22 to cause the shutter to be capped when that frame of film isexposed by the camera means C. Similarly, if it is desired to interruptthe data outputs from the computing means 0 so that art work may bechanged on the support means P before the exposure of a frame of film,it is simply necessary for the operator to operate the disabling means16 and prevent the command pulse in a data output from reaching theshutter motor 10.

The operation of the disabling means 16 will not only prevent a commandpulse from reaching the shutter motor 10 but will also prevent asubsequent data output from the computing means 0 because status datawill not be provided by the signaling means S. After an operator has athis convenience changed art work on the support means P because thedisabling means 16 is operative, the data outputs from the computingmeans 0 are restarted by returning the disabling means 16 to inoperativecondition and by operating the camera operating means 21 if a frame offilm is to be exposed without a further data output or by operating thesimulating means 30 if a frame of film is to be exposed only after afurther data output.

In changing art work when the data outputs from the computing means 0have been interrupted by the operation of the disabling means 16, theoperator may easily and conveniently use the platen control means E tooperate the platen positioning means 40. Similarly, if the operatorwishes to make a change in the position of the camera means C and thesupport means P relative to each other because of a change in art workor for another reason, the motors 11 and 12 may be operated by themanual control means 42.

Other modified modes of operation will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description of the animation system and ofseveral modified modes of operation. With respect to all modes ofoperation, it

will be understood that the indicating means G serves to indicatevisually to an operator that the camera means C and the support means Pare being positioned relative to each other by data outputs from thecomputing means 0 and that the monitoring means 23 serves to indicate toan operator that a command pulse has occurred in a data output.Similarly, it will be understood that the diverting means V and thedisplay means A provide for a basic mode of operation to be reviewedbefore it is utilized or modified in the animation system. This permitsthe data outputs to be evaluated in terms of their effectiveness or interms of the deviation data which will be utilized from the deviationmeans D to obtain a modified mode of operation.

The basic mode of operation described above will provide for theillusion of an object accelerating or decelerating with appropriatemotion data from the input means I. The manner in which this isaccomplished has already been described above. As to other basic modesof operation, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the artthat with appropriate pro gramming of the computing means 0 byconventional techniques, basic modes of operation may be readilyobtained which will cause the camera means C and mo tion means M torepeat or reverse their motions relative to each other, which will causethe frequency rate of the electrical pulses in the pulse data includedin a data output to increase from an initial relatively low rate toprovide for motor 11 or 12 response or decrease to a relatively low ratetoward the end of the pulse data so that a motor 11 or 12 eases thesupport means P into a final position, which will cause the data outputsfrom the computer means 0 to be interrupted by a request on the displaymeans A for a manual operation or which will or will not involve theplaten positioning means 40 and the shutter capping means 15 beingoperative at various predetermined times.

A particular basic mode of operation which is provided by an animationsystem embodying the invention disclosed herein and which will have manyadvantages obvious to those skilled in the art is a basic mode ofoperation in which the pulse data in each of the data outputs from thecomputing means 0 provides a last electrical pulse which always rotatesa motor 11 or 12 in the same particular direction regardless of thedirection in which the motors l1 and 12 has been rotated previously bythe pulse data. It has been found that such a last electrical pulseprovides extremely accurate positioning of the camera means C and thesupport means P relative to each other since the last increment ofmotion provided by a motor 11 or 12 is always in the same direction soas to minimize the effect of slack in the gearing and other structuresinvolved in moving a table or peg track.

Further basic and modified modes of operation and other features andadvantages of the invention disclosed herein will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from what has been said above. Moreover, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes may bemade in the animation system and in the methods of operation disclosedherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

lclaim:

1. In an animation system for taking a plurality of photographs of anobject to provide a series of photographs which will depict changecorresponding to desired motion data input when used as successiveframes in a motion picture film, a camera having centerline and ashutter operative to expose successive frames of film in said camera, asupport means for positioning an object relative to said camera, motionmeans for moving said camera and said support means relative to eachother in response to each of a plurality of data outputs, and computingmeans operatively connected to provide each of said plurality of dataoutputs in response to motion data input indicative of a motion of saidcamera and said support means relative to each other.

2. The animation system of claim 1, further comprising:

signal means operative in response to operation of said shutter toprovide a status data output signal; said computing means connected tobe operative in response to said status data output signal to providesaid plurality of data outputs.

3. The animation system of claim 1 in which each of said plurality ofdata outputs includes a number of electrical pulses and in which saidnumber of electrical pulses in one of said plurality of data outputs andsaid number of electrical pulses in another of said plurality of dataoutputs are to each other as two segments of a base line, said base linehaving a length proportional to all of said electrical pulses and saidsegments having lengths defined by the projection on said base line ofequal lengths of an arc of a circle subtended by said base line as theradius of said circle and by a second line perpendicular to said baseline at the center of said circle, and said equal lengths being equal innumber to said plurality of data outputs.

4. The animation system of claim 3 in which said plurality of dataoutputs is a first plurality of data outputs, in which said motion ofsaid camera and said platform means relative to each other is providedby said first plurality of data outputs and a second plurality of dataoutputs, and in which all of said second plurality of data outputsinclude the same number of electrical pulses.

5. The animation system of claim 4 in which the number of electricalpulses in the last of said first plurality of data outputs issubstantially equal to the number of electrical pulses in each of saidsecond plurality of data outputs.

6. The animation system of claim 4 in which the number of electricalpulses in the first of said first plurality of data outputs issubstantially equal to the number of electrical pulses in each of saidsecond plurality of data outputs.

7. The animation system of claim 4 in which all of said electricalpulses in all of said second plurality of data outputs are equal innumber to F-K (N-csc V where T is the number of electrical pulses in allof said first plurality of data outputs and in all of said secondplurality of data outputs, F is the sum of the number of said firstplurality of data outputs and the number of said second plurality ofdata outputs, N is the number of said first plurality of data outputs, Zis the number of said second plurality of data outputs, and K is aconstant.

8. The animation system of claim 2 including simulating means to whichsaid computing means is responsive to provide one of said plurality ofdata outputs when said signal means is inoperative.

9. The animation system of claim 1 in which said shutter is operative inresponse to a command pulse included in each of said plurality of dataoutputs.

10. The animation system of claim 9 including disabling means forrendering said shutter inoperative in response to said command pulse.

11. The animation system of claim 10 including a platen positioningmeans for positioning a platen and in which one of said plurality ofdata outputs includes a platen control pulse to which said platenpositioning means is responsive.

12. The animation system of claim 11 including shutter capping means forselectively preventing the exposure of film in said camera when saidshutter is operative and in which one of said plurality of data outputsincludes a shutter capping pulse to which said shutter capping means isresponsive.

13. The animation system of claim 2 in which said shutter is operativeduring an interval of time and in which said signal means provides saidstatus data at a selectively variable point in said interval of time.

14. The animation system of claim 1 in which said motion means includesa first motor means for moving said camera and said platform meansrelative to each other in a first line of motion in response to a firstpulse datain one of said plurality of data outputs and a second motormeans for moving said camera and said platform relative to each other ina second line of motion in response to a second pulse data in said oneof said plurality of data outputs.

15. The animation system of claim 14 in which both said first motormeans and said second motor means are a stepping motor responsive to anelectrical pulse and in which both said first pulse data and said secondpulse data are a plurality of electrical pulses.

16. The animation system of claim 15 in which said computing meansselectively varies the frequency rate of said plurality of electricalpulses so that the frequency rate increases from an initial relativelylow rate at the beginning of said plurality of electrical pulses.

17. The animation system of claim 14 in which said computing meansprovides said first pulse data simultaneously with said second pulsedata.

18. The animation system of claim 14 in which said first motor means isalternately responsive to a manual control means for causing motion ofsaid camera and said support means relative to each other.

19. The animation system of claim 14 including limiting means responsiveto a particular motion of said camera relative to said support means andin which said first motor means and said second motor means are renderedinoperative by said limiting means.

20. The animation system of claim 14 in which said first pulse dataincludes a first series of electrical pulses which cause said firstmotor means to move said camera and said support means in a firstdirection along said first line of motion and a final electrical pulsewhich causes said first motor means to move said i camera and saidsupport means in a second direction along said first line of motion.

21. The animation system of claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality ofdata outputs includes a number of electrical pulses; said motion meansis operative as a function of the frequency rate of said electricalpulses; and said computing means is operative to selectively vary thefrequency rate of said plurality of electrical pulses as a function ofsaid motion data input. 22. A method of motion picture animationcomprising the steps of:

making a plurality of photographs of an object with a camera; andchanging the distance from the object to the camera for each of saidplurality of photographs so that said distances have magnitudes in thesame ratio to each other as the segments of a base line, said base linehaving a length proportional to the sum of the magnitudes of all of saiddistances and said segments having lengths defined by the projection onsaid base line of equal lengths of an arc of a circle subtended by saidbase line as the radius of said circle and a second line perpendicularto said base line at the center of said circle, said equal lengths ofthe are being equal in number to the number of said distances.

23. The method of using a computing means to provide data outputs eachof which includes a plurality of electrical pulses, comprising the stepsof:

generating a sequence of data outputs;

generating a plurality of electrical pulses concurrently with saidsequence of data outputs; and apportioning said plurality of electricalpulses among said sequence of data outputs as a function of an inversesine relationship.

1. In an animation system for taking a plurality of photographs of anobject to provide a series of photographs which will depict changecorresponding to desired motion data input when used as successiveframes in a motion picture film, a camera having centerline and ashutter operative to expose successive frames of film in said camera, asupport means for positioning an object relative to said camera, motionmeans for moving said camera and said support means relative to eachother in response to each of a plurality of data outputs, and computingmeans operatively connected to provide each of said plurality of dataoutputs in response to motion data input indicative of a motion of saidcamera and said support means relative to each other.
 2. The animationsystem of claim 1, further comprising: signal means operative inresponse to operation of said shutter to provide a status data outputsignal; said computing means connected to be operative in response tosaid status data output Signal to provide said plurality of dataoutputs.
 3. The animation system of claim 1 in which each of saidplurality of data outputs includes a number of electrical pulses and inwhich said number of electrical pulses in one of said plurality of dataoutputs and said number of electrical pulses in another of saidplurality of data outputs are to each other as two segments of a baseline, said base line having a length proportional to all of saidelectrical pulses and said segments having lengths defined by theprojection on said base line of equal lengths of an arc of a circlesubtended by said base line as the radius of said circle and by a secondline perpendicular to said base line at the center of said circle, andsaid equal lengths being equal in number to said plurality of dataoutputs.
 4. The animation system of claim 3 in which said plurality ofdata outputs is a first plurality of data outputs, in which said motionof said camera and said platform means relative to each other isprovided by said first plurality of data outputs and a second pluralityof data outputs, and in which all of said second plurality of dataoutputs include the same number of electrical pulses.
 5. The animationsystem of claim 4 in which the number of electrical pulses in the lastof said first plurality of data outputs is substantially equal to thenumber of electrical pulses in each of said second plurality of dataoutputs.
 6. The animation system of claim 4 in which the number ofelectrical pulses in the first of said first plurality of data outputsis substantially equal to the number of electrical pulses in each ofsaid second plurality of data outputs.
 7. The animation system of claim4 in which all of said electrical pulses in all of said second pluralityof data outputs are equal in number to where T is the number ofelectrical pulses in all of said first plurality of data outputs and inall of said second plurality of data outputs, F is the sum of the numberof said first plurality of data outputs and the number of said secondplurality of data outputs, N is the number of said first plurality ofdata outputs, Z is the number of said second plurality of data outputs,and K is a constant.
 8. The animation system of claim 2 includingsimulating means to which said computing means is responsive to provideone of said plurality of data outputs when said signal means isinoperative.
 9. The animation system of claim 1 in which said shutter isoperative in response to a command pulse included in each of saidplurality of data outputs.
 10. The animation system of claim 9 includingdisabling means for rendering said shutter inoperative in response tosaid command pulse.
 11. The animation system of claim 10 including aplaten positioning means for positioning a platen and in which one ofsaid plurality of data outputs includes a platen control pulse to whichsaid platen positioning means is responsive.
 12. The animation system ofclaim 11 including shutter capping means for selectively preventing theexposure of film in said camera when said shutter is operative and inwhich one of said plurality of data outputs includes a shutter cappingpulse to which said shutter capping means is responsive.
 13. Theanimation system of claim 2 in which said shutter is operative during aninterval of time and in which said signal means provides said statusdata at a selectively variable point in said interval of time.
 14. Theanimation system of claim 1 in which said motion means includes a firstmotor means for moving said camera and said platform means relative toeach other in a first line of motion in response to a first pulse datain one of said plurality of data outputs and a second motor means formoving said camera and said platform relative to each other in a secondline of motion in response to a second pulse data in said one of saidplurality of data outputs.
 15. The animation system of claim 14 In whichboth said first motor means and said second motor means are a steppingmotor responsive to an electrical pulse and in which both said firstpulse data and said second pulse data are a plurality of electricalpulses.
 16. The animation system of claim 15 in which said computingmeans selectively varies the frequency rate of said plurality ofelectrical pulses so that the frequency rate increases from an initialrelatively low rate at the beginning of said plurality of electricalpulses.
 17. The animation system of claim 14 in which said computingmeans provides said first pulse data simultaneously with said secondpulse data.
 18. The animation system of claim 14 in which said firstmotor means is alternately responsive to a manual control means forcausing motion of said camera and said support means relative to eachother.
 19. The animation system of claim 14 including limiting meansresponsive to a particular motion of said camera relative to saidsupport means and in which said first motor means and said second motormeans are rendered inoperative by said limiting means.
 20. The animationsystem of claim 14 in which said first pulse data includes a firstseries of electrical pulses which cause said first motor means to movesaid camera and said support means in a first direction along said firstline of motion and a final electrical pulse which causes said firstmotor means to move said camera and said support means in a seconddirection along said first line of motion.
 21. The animation system ofclaim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of data outputs includes anumber of electrical pulses; said motion means is operative as afunction of the frequency rate of said electrical pulses; and saidcomputing means is operative to selectively vary the frequency rate ofsaid plurality of electrical pulses as a function of said motion datainput.
 22. A method of motion picture animation comprising the steps of:making a plurality of photographs of an object with a camera; andchanging the distance from the object to the camera for each of saidplurality of photographs so that said distances have magnitudes in thesame ratio to each other as the segments of a base line, said base linehaving a length proportional to the sum of the magnitudes of all of saiddistances and said segments having lengths defined by the projection onsaid base line of equal lengths of an arc of a circle subtended by saidbase line as the radius of said circle and a second line perpendicularto said base line at the center of said circle, said equal lengths ofthe arc being equal in number to the number of said distances.
 23. Themethod of using a computing means to provide data outputs each of whichincludes a plurality of electrical pulses, comprising the steps of:generating a sequence of data outputs; generating a plurality ofelectrical pulses concurrently with said sequence of data outputs; andapportioning said plurality of electrical pulses among said sequence ofdata outputs as a function of an inverse sine relationship.